Civil War soldier sends a request from the battlefield

A photo of the letter John Finney sent home on Sept. 4, 1864, on the occasion of his 20th birthday.

A photo of the letter John Finney sent home on Sept. 4, 1864, on the occasion of his 20th birthday. (Highland Park Historical Society)

Nancy Webster,Highland Park Historical Society archivist

All Civil War soldier wants for his birthday is tobacco

On Sept. 4, 1864, John Finney reached his 20th year.

Two years after enlisting in the Illinois 65th Volunteer Infantry to fight for the Union in the Civil War, he could report good health against great odds.

Finney refused to speak of his months as a prisoner of war at Harpers Ferry. He did describe his numerous wounds, illnesses and stays in field hospitals, including the effect of the constant artillery and cannon fire -- rendering him to the "land of the dumb."

Both Finney and his brother James survived the war and returned home to Lake County. Finney lived a long life, serving as Highland Park city clerk for more than 30 years and raising a family before retiring to California.

The following is a letter he sent home on his birthday, reprinted in honor of the anniversary of that day.

Marietta, Geo, Sept. 4, 1864

Dear Parents,

As today is my birthday and the 20th year of my age I take opportunity of informing you that I am in the best of health at present and hope that this may find all of you in the same. Today I will tell you what I want for the present seeing it is my birthday I would like you send me two lbs. of the best of fine cut chewing tobacco, have it done up with stout paper first, and then writing paper on the outside and have waxed to each once in the middle don't put any string about it it won't do anny good have it waxed well and the address as I direct i suppose it will cost you about 3 doll and the most of annything tobacco is awful dear here you sent it to me you won't lose anything by it I have not heard from James since I left. I guess that I will go back to the Co in a few days. Atlanta is ours positively ours and our men is 10 miles the other side some of our men is in front of them they are in close quarters. I know nothing more to write at present I am sending you a record for Aug you can know how I have passed the time your son John Finney. Brig stands for Brigad Div for Division A C for Army Corps

Direct John Finney

Brig 3 Div 23 ACCo F65 Ill Vol

From around the margins:

Direct as I tell you all the time put on no more

Give my best respects to all friends and relatives

Send all my letters to the Reg

From the John Finney papers at the Highland Park Historical Society. Nancy Webster is the archivist for the Highland Park Historical Society.